Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky will speak to the
Windham Rotary on Wednesday, January 30, 2003, at the Charlie Beigg's
Restaurant in Windham. Secretary Gwadosky's topic will be Maine's Newest
Drivers at Risk and will provide information and insight regarding issues
involving teen drivers. His presentation will begin at approximately
12:15 p.m.

Over the past several years, the Department of the Secretary
of State has sought to involve parents in their teenager's driver education
and has encouraged parents and teens to communicate with each other
about the responsibilities of driving. Requiring 35 hours of driving
time with an adult (preferably a parent) before requesting a road test
and developing a Young Driver Parent/Guardian Driving Contract that
helps open up the lines of communication are just a couple of initiatives
that have sought to focus families on these issues.

Unfortunately, recent crashes across the state involving
young people have highlighted the importance of finding innovative solutions
to prevent future tragedies. Over the past six weeks Secretary Gwadosky
has met with a variety of groups to discuss the issues surrounding young
drivers and to formulate legislative proposals concerning the driver
licensing system for new drivers. Secretary Gwadosky's discussion will
focus on trends in young driver crashes and proposed solutions, including
the Department of the Secretary of State's legislation to introduce
a new Graduated Driver Licensing System.